Bundle sealing machine



Feb. 1, 1949. W lRvlNE BUNDLE SEALING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 4, 1947 Iuqulv: y:

w. L. IRVINE BUNDLE sEALING MACHINE Feb. 1, 1949.

Filed Feb. 4, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvE TQR am B v aule Myx %16i M ATTORNEYS Feb. l, 1949. w. L. IRVINE BUNDLE SEALING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1947 N 2DR ATTORNEYS iFeb. 1, 1949.r w. L. IRVINE y 2,460,751

BUNDLE SEALING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1947 4 shets-sheet'4 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. la,

BUNDLE sEALING MACHINE William L. Irvine,`Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to The American Sugar Refining Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 4, 1947, Serial No. 726,418

18 Claims. (Cl. 523-6) This invention relates to machines for closing f and sealing the tops of bags of heavy paper stock, commonly referred to as bundles, which are used in the distribution of small sealed packages of such products as sugar, coffee, and similar commodities. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improved folding and sealing mechanism which may be used, for example, in the bundle closing and sealing machine disclosed in my Patent 2,372,578, issued March 27, 1945. The novel mechanism is superior to that in the machine of the patent in that it makes folds with sharp well-dened fold lines, and thus insures tight sealing of the bundles without Vmanual intervention.

In the machine of Patent 2,372,578, the bundles with their tops open are advanced in upright position by conveying means to a station, at which the bundles come to rest and part of the folding and sealing operations are performed on them. While a bundle is standing still at the station, a pair of arms swing in a horizontal plane to engage the rear end wall of the top of the bundle and force it inwardly, after which the arms move outwardly against the side Walls and form them partially into flaps. then applied to the inner surface of the front end wall and a plate, swinging on a horizontal axis, engages the front end wall and folds it down upon the infolded rear end wall. In this operation, the plate completes the formation of the side walls in the flaps. The bundle is next moved away from the station and, during its movement, the iiaps are coated with adhesive on their upper surfaces and then folded inwardly upon the infolded end Walls.

The means disclosed in the patent for folding the rear end wall of the top of the bundle inwardly and the side walls outwardly are of somewhat complicated construction, in that the arms are given a non-circular movement by means off cams. Also, the combination of the arms and the plate does not always form the side walls into aps with sharp folding lines, because of the heavy stock of which the bundle is made, and, unless the flaps are uniform and sharply folded, it is difcult, because of their small size,

An adhesive is..

45 at both sides of the machine.

which can be tightly sealed in place. A machine equipped with the new means operates rapidly and the sealed bundles issuing from it require no manual operations to complete partial seals.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view,

on the line l-I of Fig. 3, of a machine provided 1Q with the new closing and sealing means;

Fig. 1A is an elevational view of parts shown in Fig. 1; l

Fig. 2 is a top plan view with parts shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line' 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4-8, inc., are diagrammatic views showing the operations of certain parts of the mechanism;

and

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective diagrammatic in Patent 2,372,578, except for the new folding means. Ihe machine is constructed for closing and sealing bundles containing twelve 5 1b, bags of sugar, and each such bundle is about 22/z" long from its bottom to its top, when the upper end is open, and its cross-sectional dimensions are about 71/2" x 15". The bundles il are filled with the bags at a filling station vand then delivered on a conveyor belt I2 to the closing and sealing machine. The bundles enter the machine V while standing erect and are advanced through it broadside on.

The machine includes a frame made up of side and .cross frame members I3 and the bundles are moved through the machine, while supported on ,40 a series oi rolls I4. Pairs of vertical shafts I5 are mounted in suitable bearings at each end oi' the frame, and each shaft carries upper and lower sprocket wheels I6. Chains I1 are trained about each pair of sprocket wheels in each level lower chains at each side of the machine are connected by conveyor plates I8 and, as a bundle is advanced on belt I2, it enters a pocket formed between front and rear pairs of plates I8. The

shafts I5 are driven through bevel gearing from a shaft IS, which is, in turn, driven by a chain 20 from a main drive shaft 2 I. Shaft 2| is driven through a chain 22 trained about a sprocket wheel 23, which is fast on a shaft driven through y a, reduction box 24 by a motor 25,

The upper and chine.

Y shaft.

As a bundle is advanced toward the intake end of the machine, it may be directed by an attendant between conveyor plates i8 on the chains il and the machine may then be started to cause the bundle to advance to the station, at which the bundle l I is shown inV Fig. l. Preferably, however, the machine may include means shown inthe vpp ient,by which a bundleadvancing on belt I2 causes-the conveyor chains l1 to be moved.

. As the bundle approaches the station, the chains are stopped, so that the bundle may remain at..

rest, until certain folding operations have been' therefrom.

performed, after which the chains'are` 'againfL` started andthe bundle discharged from the ma- The means by which the Achains are;

started, stopped, and started again4 may; bel.of

any well-known type and are preferably those disclosed in my prior patent.A i

A horizontal rock shaft 26 is mounted ings in upward extensions 21 from the opposite sideframe members and the shaft is provided witha'arm 28 connected by a rod 29 to one arm' off'afbell= crank 30""loosely mounted' on Vav horizontalshaftfl, extending between the sideframe members,- The'other'arm of the bell crank is"connected'by a., rod32`lto a lever 33 having a followerentering a groove in a cam 3s on a shaft' Shaft is driven by a chain 3E. trainedV 35. aboutagsprocket wheel on drive shaft 2l and rotation*l of cam 34 acts,Vv through the parts described, to'rock shaft 26.

A`horizontalrock shaft 31 is mounted `in bear-V, ings in the side frame members of the Vmachine" below shaft 26 `and shaft 31 `is'provided with an arm 38., connected by a rod 39 to one arm of a' b`e11`crank 4l) loose on` shaft 3l. VThe other arin ofthe bell crank is connected by a rod 4l: jtoiaVY lever42; having',a'followerV entering fa groove in a cam43 on shaft '35; A pair of hook-shaped Y holdingY plates 44 are mountedV on shaft 31 and;

in the voperation ofthe machine, plates 4d move fro'mithe upper dotted lineposition in Fig. 1 lto the lower full line position.` When plates dll vare in'tlie'fu'll Yline position, their forward'edges 44a exted'iupwardly andrearwardly at an anglelofi about "SOY-to the horizontal.

rpair-"ofY armsv 45 are mounted loosely on" .shafts'26and'31' and extend downwardly belowV sha'ft31'. A'rockshaft'li is mounted in bearings Vinthelc'wveren'ds of the arinsa'ndjit is connectedY b'yfa'chain 41to rock shaft 26.A` A folding plate 46' is mounted on shaft' 46 and extends outwardly substantially in a plane through the axisV of the A* pair" of vertical n ontheside framemembers and are provided at ,their lower ends with arms 50, each of which is connected by a universal link 5I to theendV of a 'lever 52r pivoted on the frame work of the mas-,

chine at' 53.r Lever '.i2'has a roller 54' entering a track ink cam on shaft 35. At its upper end;r each rock shaft 49 carries a, sprocket wheel 55" connected byV a chain 51 to a sprocket wheel 53 onavertical ro'ck shaft 59- journalled in the frame members. Each rock shaft 59 carries a folding plate 6I),V thetwo. plateslying in the sameho'ri# zontal plane. n l y A glue vessel6`| is mounted in extensions from the `frame above the foldingstation, andone end of the vessel is closed by a distributing rollV 62 driven through` gearing and a chain 63 from a shaft"64 which is, in turn, driven through a chain 6 5'from shaft 2 I. Ap'air of inclined guidew'ayfsGG are formed in upward extensidns'ffro'm the 'frame' of the machine androlls 61 at'ithe rock 'shafts 49; are mounted When a bundle comes to rest at the station in 'the position 'shown in Fig. 1, shafts 59 are rocked to. cause arms lto swing, so that their ends engagetheA rear end wall 14 of the top of the v'bundle (Fig. 4) and fold this wall inwardly against the top of the contents. At this stage in the operation; the plate 48 is in vertical position in bear- Vand in conact with the front end wall of the bundle and the holding" plates 46 are elevated. When the. rear end wall" of the bundle has :been foldedinwardlyshaft 31 is rocked to swing v.holdingpla'tesli'llgdownto theposition illustrated in` Fig. 5. ",Inrthis` positio`n,[the lower ends ofthe edges 44afofjplates 44engage the inner surface of the frontend wallof the bundle close` to the top of,4 the contents therein. The plate 4B,V then moves to an inclination of'aboutl9 (Fig. 6) andstops. ,During that movement, .the 'gluingroll 13@ hasbeen movedv down to the lower endof its' travelandhas also been moved'towardplate 48= byreason of the'offset portions 66a in guideways 66. In'this position, the glueroll lies'betw'een the holdngplates 44 and, when the plate 4Seo`mesy to rest ininclined position, the inner--surface Aof the front end wally of the bundle is in contact with the r`ol1.13l`v The crossbar 68 is then moved upwardly and, during that movement, roll13 applies glue to .thefinner surface ofthe front wall` o f thebundle. Whenthe roll 13 has passed ybe yond theiend of thebundle plate lisis moved down further'to fold that'portion of .the 4front end wall of the bundle between plates44 into. VContact withthe infolded rear endwall`14L In such movement of plate 48,` the plate also folds the top wall'of the bundle tightly `aboutthe inclined edges 44a ofthe'holding platesf44 to formv thejside'jwalls of'l thejbundl'e into triangular 11apsf15'. v

When' the v'operatitmfsabove described have been completed, the conveyor .chains l1 are startedin their oper'ationfand .the bundle begins to move on through thernachine. Duringthe early part of this movement, the holdingl plates .44 and the folding plates 6] are'swungback to inactive position, while the plate 48 remains down.-y beyond the` folding station,Vv aremounted a pair of YstationaryfoldingV means or` plows 1E, which engage the flaps 15and move them outwardly to horizontal' position. as the bundle advances.

' When the bundle'haspassed from beneath plate 43,' the latterV isv swung toits initial-vertical position. ,n

.As the bundle passes beneath iplows 16', its

top is` engaged by a'plate 11, on'whieh rests al weight 18, and the. plate holds the infoldedendwalls of theto-p of the bundle in tight Contact. The plate is heldfagainst movement withv the bundle'by loops 19 on a shaft 86 ,provide-d with apair of presser rolls ill,V which flatten .the aps 'i5 against presser rolls B2 'on a shaft S3. Shaft is vdriven through'- a chain rBi on Vshaftl and isgeareu to shaft .8a. shaft et 'is provided with a pair 'of gluerons se', which dose the emisor glue -,vs'sels 86."vv 'The flattened 'flaps 15lis`suing, from Justasserita i? 1 ed les theiriieieer 5 m Oldies plates B31 are adulte@ leerer-fl Y lies sletel threes@ which extends ein' er. Each elle@ has e .slet 3,' through whiehex.- lends 09e elld 0f .el Shelli S21 carrying" `8 3, which acts on cam followers 94, 95 on the As tlie ictel-tss,` `the stretch-'of which runs over rollers 99. An

@all 99 ,hes e levier stretch` beneath rellers lill, en@ belt tlm. is held against the-ten Qi lille' Seel-ezel- .lelmdlelte held the wielded parte in position until the adhesive. sets- Belt and beltslr' @9- are drivenj by any suitable means.

1,11 the Gremien Qf thenew meel/line, the. front .lf-,eer e elle ef eaell bundle are folded oneuilen` lille ..1 elle glued 'together emi. at the eine time, the sidewall-s eee ferme@ intotri.- eseule @are around the inclined edges eitheliol iig plates. These Operations resti-1l? the, 1ere ,liCtO-n 0f uniform flens with sharp edges, endslleh 11ers een be teliilvseelee tothe in: Hilde@ eed` v., everl @web thelieps ere: ef relatively small size and the stockvis stii, They flflliemechanism, eeeerdinalv, operates te.;

@reduce tightly seeled bundles and completion @of the sealing ef the fleas ley' herideperetiens is distilled-y claim;

1. In a machine for closingY and, scalingv the eersel lelilidles ille combinaties ei. fer

advancing bundle-Wife @een tee ,inunriem Plislt Ve e hel-leemte? @elle los lamine .el eed wel f the top inwardly7 a pair Qi 119.1@ me S movable: the tee ie eaeeee the meer serfeee el 'ille see-ene esci Well el the terrk e llele-ie eng geablewitiitlieouter siuiace of second end. Wall be-i-vveenetlie lioidingj members, means.

for4 applyingv adhesive Ito-tlie inner;surfao@7.0iv the;

second end wall,l means operable 'after the apelieetefi elv .lie adhesive te' mevevthe pleite te feeee ile, see edeld'llell niverdlv incendie first edil Well, il" -e ille-heldere members remeirliin position', and ferm @beside Wells eilt-heiter inte4 fleas Ineens fer enables; adhesive" te the inner faces of thei flaps, and moans foie folding the naps inwardly uieelltlie. infelfled elle wells. n

2.v In a. machine for ,closingA sealing the tops, of bundles', the,`A combination of means for. advancing e needle with en wensen in upright position, a pair of folding nreerrnbersl movable` on vert in army, e lee-ir .ef haleine members movable intoftheftop toengage the inner surface of thaAk second Iend Wall ofthe i109; d @laf-te' .engageabiywith tfljieouter surfacel of1 the second; end; wall;

betweenthe Jrloldiifigmembers,i means fon'applying adhesive to the inner: surface` of; die second' wall, i means operable after the.: uapplwon thflue rolls Iand ,each plateepair ef folding; members: meyeele axes for forcing-one end Wall; of the` topof'v the adliesi-ve; to inove-thelnlatef tciorce the:- 7544 second end weli- ,inwardiy upm the and Walk, lil/hill@ the hQlding members; remain im polsltion, yform the side wal-1s of the top liens, means for: applying adhesive to the inner faces of the naps, and means .for folding the dans inwardly upon the, infold-ed end- Walls. 3.1151 a machine for closing and seal-ing. tops. of louifnilels,v the combination of means, for adv ricingl a.; bundle with an open top in; upright position, mehr `.ei folding members movable a horizontal; plane for forcing. one .Grid wall of the topp inivardly',y a lpair of holding members movable on a horizontal aXis to engage the ,inner ciuzfacepf the second end .wall of the top, a plate A r engalgeable with the outer surface4 of end wall-between the holding members-meai1s for applying adhesive to the inner siiizface the second .end WalL means operable after the application oi the adhesiye to move theA platato- -flores the second end wall inwardlyV upon the first-end wall, While the holding members .re-- main inposition,` and form the side Wallsof the topy into fia-ps; means for applying. adhesiva tol the inner faces oi the flaps, aridlmeans for fold-` ing the flaps inwardly upon `the inici-ded entri'` walls. e

a machine for closing: and sealing` the tops of bundles; 'the combination of means for advancing: a bundle with an` open top in upright position, a pair. of folding members mounted to: swing. iml vertical axes on opposite sides: of-"theE path of travel ofthe bundle andv movable, to forcey one end? vvallY of the topl-nwardly; a pair of; hold!- ing members movable into tiley top toi engage y; the innerV surface ofV the second. endy Wall of the top, a plate engageable, With the4 outer surf-aces of the second end Wall between thev holding mei'n'bers,r means for applying adhesive tov the innen surface of thssecond; end wall, means. operi able after the application of the ,adhesivev to move the plate to force` the second' endv *Wally inwardly, upon the irst end wall, whileitliel'loldil ing members remain rinposition', and form! tliesidek Walls, of, the topA into flaps, meansA` forapf-y plyng adhesive to tl'ie inner faces of the a and'` means for folding' tile a'pfs. inwardly' i the infold'ed` end'wallsg 5. InlA a machine for closing and sealing the tops of,` bundles, the combination of mea-'nsf fr advancingl albunldle with an operi top i'n prilif," position, a. pair offol'dingf mmber'smbvble aV horizontalV plane forforciig one end Ay'vallt o the top inwardly, a pair' of-"holding'f' meint)ers;V mounted on ahori'zontal axis above thepath travel ofV the bundle-andv movable-into tle'tpp" to engage` the inner surface of the'second-f end' Wall ofthe tops, aplate engagealolefvvitl'i` outer surface of! the s@condi*end `Wall between the holding nlembers,` means for applyingfad hesive to'.l theinner` Surface of the "seconds end. Wall, means operable after the-application f adhesive to' movethe plate; to` force the "s'cond endl wall inwardly upon tl'ierstl end-vieilli vvhi the: holding. members remaininposition; r form: the side walls. of: tlie top into flaps; icaiis` for 'applying adhesive to the innerI` faces oftlle aps; and means-for foldingthe'A flaps invvardL lvupontheinfoldedend'walls.

6; In: a: machine for closing and# sealing'y tho'- `tops off bundles, thcombination off'means for Yfolding the iiaps inwardly upon the infolded 7 Surface: of the second end wall of the top, aplate engageable with-the-outer surface 'of the second end" Wall'ofY the topV between the holding Ymembers-,imeans for applyingl adhesive to the inner Asurface of thesecond end wall, means operable after application of the adhesive to move the plate to `force the second end wall inwardlyrupon the rst end wall while the holding members remain in position and form the side walls of the top intoV flaps, means for applying adhesive toV the `inner faces ofthe flaps, and-means for folding the flaps inwardly upon the infolded end.

walls. f e

7. In a machine for closing and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination o f means for advancing aY bundle with an openV top in upright position, a pair of folding members movable in a horizontal plane for forcing one end wall of the top inwardly, a pair, of holding members movable intothe top to engage the inner surface of the second end wall of the top, a

Aplate-engageable with the outer surface of the second end wall between the holding members, means for applying adhesive to the inner surface of .the second endV wall, means operable after the application of the adhesive to move the plate to force' the second end wall inwardly upon the Ymeans for advancing a bundle with an open top in upright position to and beyond a station with the bundle pausing at the station, a pair of folding members movable in a horizontal plane to force inwardly one end wall of the top of a bundle at restrat the station, a pair of holding members mounted adjacent the station and movable lto engage the inner surface of the second end wall ofthe top, a plate disposed at the station and engageable with the outer surface of the second end wall of the top between the holding members, means for applying adhesiveto. the inner surface-of .the second end wall, means. operable after` application of the vadhesive to. moveVV vthe plate fto force the second` end wall inwardly 8 A theplate 'to force the second end wall inwardly upon the' firstv end wall andi around the edges of the holdingmembers to formv the'side walls of the top into flaps, means beyond the station for foldingjtheaps outwardly, means for applying adhesive to the upper faces ofthe flaps, and means,V f or foldingtheV flaps inwardly upon the infolded end walls,` the last three means operating upon'the bundle asit is moving away from the station. Y o

V10, In a machine' for closing 'and' sealing the tops of bundles, the combination'of'a pair of members operable to fold inwardly one end wall of the top of the bundle, a pair of holding members operable to engage the inner surface of the second end Wall of the top, a plate engageable with the outer surface ofthe second end wall between Vthe holdingmembers, and means for operating theplate tofold the second end wall of the top inwardly upon the previously infolded end `wall and around the edges of the holding members to formthe vside Walls of the top into aps. A Y' "11. In a machine for closing `and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of a pair of members movable in ahorizontal plane (and operable to fold inwardly one end wallY of the top of the bundle, a pair of holding members operable to engage the inner surface of'the second en d Wall of the top, a plate engageable with the outer surface of the second end wall between the holdingmembers, and means for operating the plate to fold the second end wall of the top inwardly upon the previously infolded end wall and around the edges of the holding members to form the side walls ofthe top into naps.

125 In a 'machine for closing and" sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of aipair of the previously infomed end wall and around the upon the vfirst end wall and around the edges. of

theholding members to form theside walls of as the bundle moves away from the station, and

meansfbeyond the adhesive-applying meansV for end walls 'as the bundle moves along.

.ra-In a machine-for closing andsealing the v tops of bundles, the combination of conveying means for advancing a bundle with.l an open top in upright position to and beyond a `station 'with the bundle pausing at the station, a pairl of folding members movable in a horizontal planeVA to force inwardly one end wall of thetop of al end wall of the top,V a plate disposed at the sta-1 tion and engageable with the outer surface of ing members, means for applyingadhfesive to the Vinner surface of the second end wall, means operl Y 1 ableV after Y application of the adhesive to imove the second end wall of the top between the hold- Ledges of the holdingmembers to form the side wallsof the top into flaps. -V

`l3. In a machine for 'closing and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of a pair of members operable to fold inwardly one end Wall of the top of theV bundle, a pair of holding .members movable in parallel vertical planes and operable to engage the inner surface of the second end wall of the top, a plate engageable with the outer surface of the second end wall between the holding members, and means-for operating the plate to fold the second end wall -of the top inwardly upon the previously infolded end wall and around'the edg of the holding members to form the side Walls of thetop into flaps.

14. In a machine'fo'r lclosingan'd sealing the tops of bundles, the combination Vof a 'pair of members operable to fold inwardly one end wall of the top of the bundle, a, pair of holding members mounted to swing on a horizontal axis and operable to engage the inner surface of the secform the side wallsLof the top -into flaps.

15. In a machine for closing and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of a pair of folding plates mounted on respective vertical shafts, means for rocking the shafts to cause the plates to engage and fold inwardly one end Wall of the top of a bundle, a horizontal shaft, a pair of parallel holding plates on the horizontal shaft. means for rocking the horizontal shaft to cause the holding plates to engage the inner surface of the second end Wall of the bundle, a second horizontal shaft, a plate mounted thereon to be parallel to the axis of the shaft and between the planes of movement of the holding plates, and means for rocking the second horizontal shaft to cause the plate thereon to fold the second end Wall inwardly over the previously infolded end wall and around the edges of the holding plates to form the side Walls of the top into flaps.

16. In a machine for closing and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of a pair of members operable to fold inwardly one end wall of the top of the bundle, a pair of holding memn bers operable to engage the inner surface of the second end wall of the top, a plate engageable with the outer` surface of the second end wall between the holding members, means for applying adhesive to the inner surface of the second end wall, and means for operating the plate to fold the second end Wall of the top inwardly upon the previously infolded end wall and around the edges of the holding members to form the side walls of the top into flaps.

17. In a machine for closing and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of a pair of folding plates mounted on respective vertical shafts, means for rocking the shafts to cause the plates to engage and fold inwardly one end wall of the top of a bundle, a horizontal shaft, a pair of parallel holding plates on the horizontal shaft, means for rocking the horizontal shaft to cause the holding plates to engage the inner surface of the second end wall of the bundle, a second horizontal shaft, a plate mounted thereon to be parallel to the axis of the shaft and between the planes of movement of the holding plates, means for applying adhesive to the inner surface of the second end wall of the top, and means for rocking the second horizontal shaft to cause the plate thereon to fold the second end wall inwardly over the previously infolded end wall and around the edges of the holding plates to form the side walls of the top into flaps.

18. In a machine for closing and sealing the tops of bundles, the combination of a pair of members operable to fold inwardly one end wall of the top of the bundle, a pair of holding members operable to engage the inner surface of the second end wall of the top, a plate engageable with the outer surface of the second end wall between the holding members, means for applying adhesive to the inner surface of the second end wall, means for operating the plate to fold the second Wall of the top inwardly upon the previously infolded end wall and around the edges of the holding members to form the side walls of the top into aps, means for advancing the bundle beyond the plate, plows acting on the iiaps, as the bundle moves, to turn the flaps outwardly, means for applying adhesive to the upper faces of the flaps, and a pair of plates each reciprocating at an angle to the path of travel of the bundle and operable to fold the flaps down upon the infolded end walls, as the bundle moves along its path.

WILLIAM L. IRVINE.

No references cited. 

